Why forest loss is making our watersheds leak rain
Why it matters: Deforestation directly increases river water flow, impacting downstream ecosystems and water management.
- Paired-watershed experiments have long confirmed that the removal of forests results in a rise in the overall water quantity in rivers.
- Forests and water are intrinsically linked, with the presence of forests significantly influencing watershed hydrology.
Decades of paired-watershed experiments consistently demonstrate that deforestation leads to an increase in the total volume of water flowing through rivers. This established connection between forest loss and altered water flow highlights a critical environmental impact.
